Paris, France — Groupe Schneider began the process of renaming itself "Schneider Electric" during February and March 1999. The rechristening is accompanied by a new logo and a campaign to rollout the corporation's new identity. Schneider says the name change was needed because it's a different company than it was in 1981. With the full integration of Merlin Gerin, Telemecanique, and Square D, and the divestment Spie Batignolles, Schneider says it's now "an integrated, international manufacturing company and leader in electrical distribution, industrial control, and automation. The 'Groupe Schneider' signature no longer corresponds to this new identity." Schneider Electric adds its new logo will be "more powerful and better suited to a manufacturing company."